Royal Berkshire - 10 Leisure Walks of Discovery Guidebook

by: Mike Cope
Since the nineteenth century the county of Berkshire has been referred to as a Royal County due to the presence of a royal residence, Windsor Castle, in the north east of the county. This was formally recognised by the Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth in 1958, and letters patent confirming this were issued in 1974. This book focuses on those parts of Berkshire most closely associated with that royal influence.

Windsor Castle is a favourite home of the Royal Family and the largest castle in England. Just across the river is Eton College - the most famous public school in the world. It has educated nineteen British Prime Ministers and sent forth 'a cohort of distinguished figures'. Windsor Great Park is owned by the Crown Estate and comprises 4,800 acres of woodland, farms and open fields, much of which is now open to the public. In former times it used to be part of a huge Royal hunting forest, dating back to the mid-thirteenth century.

The ten circular walks, eight of which include the Thames Path as part of the itinerary, range from 4 - 9½ miles. They suit the needs of families, groups of friends or individuals looking for a gentle stroll or a longer walk, and reflect the many varied facets of the area - its people, its history, and it's working landscape and will help first time visitors to experience some of the great scenery the area has to offer. Many of the walks feature a pub along the route.

All but one of the walks in this guide are circular and begin at a car park or safe parking location with the grid reference provided. Public transport options are given where available. The walks are graded from easy to challenging. Distance and a short description of the terrain are also provided. Clear route directions are provided together with simple sketch maps. The book is well illustrated throughout with colour photographs. The handy size also means it will slip easily into your pocket, protected by the tough cover.

The walk locations are:
Pangbourne and Purley on Thames - 6.5 miles
Reading and Shiplake - 7 miles linear
Henley-on-Thames - 5 miles
Hurley and Marlow - 5.5 miles
Cookham - 9.5 miles
Dorney and Bray - 6 miles
Windsor and Eton - 5.5 miles
Windsor Great Park - 5.75 miles
Ascot Heath - 7.5 miles
Swinley Forest - 6 miles

ISBN 9780857100429 Pages 64 (2011) 160mm x 116mm